NRHP Reference # 73001583 Phone +1 717-642-5410 Added to NRHP 2 April 1973 | Area 4,000 m² Architectural style Gothic architecture | |
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Built 1787-1789 (the oldest portion) Address 15 West Main Street, Fairfield, PA 17320, United States Similar Cashtown Inn, Soldiers National Museum, Devil's Den, Hager House, Barbara Fritchie House | ||
Fairfield Inn, also known as The Mansion House, is a historic inn and tavern in Fairfield, Adams County, Pennsylvania.
Contents
Architecture
Fairfield Inn is a 3 1/2-story, stone structure with a gable roof. It features a three-story Victorian Gothic-style porch.
History
The tavern property was part of a larger tract of land of 247 acres that was conveyed on December 19, 1755 to John Miller, (founder of Fairfield), Charles Carroll of Maryland. Statesman Patrick Henry, known for the final line of his famous speech of "Give me Liberty or give me death" was a visitor of the Inn and relative of John Miller's wife, Isabel Henry Miller. The Inn was used as a meeting house in the 1700's and during the 1800's as a stagecoach stop and drover's tavern on the former Great Road, which connected York, PA, and Hagerstown, MD. It remained part of Maryland until the Mason-Dixon line was drawn in 1767, officially placing Fairfield in Pennsylvania. It served as a Confederate Civil War hospital during the Gettysburg Campaign American Civil War. Innkeeper at the time, Peter Shively filed a claim for damages done to his property by the Confederate Army. These losses included lard, oats, corn, whiskey, brandy, win, gin, and rum. The damages totaled $278. In 1862 General J.E.B. Stuart raided the town of Fairfield and The Fairfield Inn stopping briefly for libations and food. On the retreat from Gettysburg, July 4, 1863, General Robert E. Lee passed through town directly in front of the Fairfield Inn stopping for food and drink and leaving some of the dead and dying Confederate men.
The Fairfield Inn was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 2, 1973. It is located in the Fairfield Historic District. On the Inn's 250th anniversary, August 2007, Governor Ed Rendell personally delivered and presented to the Innkeepers The House of Representatives Citation celebrating 250 consecutive years in business reaffirming the longevity and distinction The Fairfield Inn played in the area's history - attested by PA House Representative Daniel Moul and Speaker of the House, Dennis M. O'Brien.
Famous Guests
Statesman Patrick Henry, Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart, General Robert E. Lee, President & Mrs. Dwight Eisenhower, Governor Ed Rendell